The Youth Outreach Program of The Salvation Army in Tyler is a multi-dimensional approach to the poverty, hopelessness, lack of motivation, and other unhealthy behaviors that challenge our local youth. Every afternoon and throughout the summer, children ages 6-15 can find refuge and solace in the staff, volunteers, and safe physical environment that The Salvation Army provides. Children who live in our shelter as well as children who live elsewhere in the Tyler community are able to come to the The Salvation Army in Tyler, where they engage in tutoring and other educational activities, sports, fine- arts, summer camp, and outings. TISD teachers, as well as students from The University of Texas at Tyler and Tyler Junior College’s Education Department help with tutoring after school and throughout the summer.
An important part of the Youth Outreach Program is the “Tyler School of Music”. The vision of “Tyler School of Music” is to give children a broad sense of culture and to stimulate their minds in a positive way through learning how to play an instrument or singing in the choir. Children can learn to play the guitar, piano, brass, or take voice lessons, in addition to learning music theory. “Tyler School of Music”, or “TSM”, is directly linked to the philosophy of the Youth Outreach program which is designed to promote healthy behaviors, self-esteem, educational aspirations and support, all the while providing a safe and healthy environment for children who have nowhere else to go
Funding for The Salvation Army in Tyler’s Youth Outreach Program is provided, in part, by The Salvation Army in Tyler’s Women’s Auxiliary, the Junior League of Tyler, and the Women’s Fund.
